Perennial grass field harrow has many alternative names - clay, wolchug, bull grass, plowed harrow, or prickly. This plant with delicate flowers, reminiscent of the spread wings of a butterfly, belongs to the subfamily, which is called the Moth. Being a representative of legumes, steelhead is related to beans, peas, lentils, soybeans and peanuts, but unlike them, its benefits are not in the nutritional value of the fruits, but in the healing power of the roots.
Introducing the plant
Field stalnik reaches 50–80 cm in height, less often - more than a meter. One plant consists of several straight branched stems, painted from below in brown or red-violet color. The root - the main we alth of the species - is a rod with a small number of branches, extending to a depth of 2 meters. The stalk has oblong alternately arranged leaves, in the axils of which spikes can be located. Its stem and foliage are covered with small villi. The flowering period begins in June and can last until August. At this time, the field steel worker,the photo of which can be seen below is crowned with a spike-shaped flower with numerous pink, occasionally white, inflorescences. By September, a fruit is formed - a small oval bean, in which two to four seeds are located. The plant has a specific, not too pleasant smell.
Where to meet
Wild harrow lives in southern Europe, Central Asia and North America. It can also be found in the Caucasus, the Southern Urals and Altai. Stalnik loves nutrient-rich soils (chernozem) of medium moisture, but also grows on clay podzolic soils. The plant prefers open spaces, because it is very photophilous. Most often found in the steppes and forest-steppes, in light forests, in meadows, on the coasts of water bodies, as well as along roads. The field harrow grows usually singly among other plants or in small groups.
Composition and healing properties
The roots of the plant are used as medicinal raw materials. They contain tannins, resins, essential and fatty oils, mineral s alts (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, silicon, iodine, zinc, selenium and others) and organic acids, in particular citric. They contain biologically active substances - onocerine, saponins and isoflavone glycosides.
Stalnik has a versatile effect on the body: diuretic, hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and slight hypotensive. However, the most pronounced effect is a laxative. Substancescontained in the plant, act irritatingly on the intestinal receptors, which enhances peristalsis.
Application
Roots of harrow are used as a tincture or decoction. The most effective tincture of the field harrow is for hemorrhoids. Thanks to the action of the plant, defecation is facilitated, swelling of tissues decreases, bleeding is stopped, inflammation is relieved and pain disappears. This is confirmed by the results of a study conducted in the mid-70s of the XX century in Moscow in the hospital. Botkin. If you take the drug during an exacerbation of the disease, then after 2-3 weeks you can notice a significant improvement. In addition, due to its laxative effect, the plant is successfully used to treat constipation and anal fissures.
The roots of the field harrow also have a beneficial effect on he alth in pathologies of the kidneys and urinary system. Preparations from them act as a mild diuretic, reduce inflammation and even help dissolve stones.
Due to the fact that the plant is able to reduce capillary fragility, it is used in the treatment of diseases of the veins of the lower extremities - thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. It is also good for gout, rheumatism, skin diseases and joint pain.
Recipe and use of tincture
Hellow tincture has a very pronounced effect, since alcohol draws a maximum of biologically active substances from raw materials. Ready drug on sale meetit is possible infrequently, but dried raw materials are present on the pharmacy shelves. This means that it will not be difficult to prepare a healing agent on your own.
So, the recipe according to which the tincture is made: field harrow (roots) - 20 gr, alcohol 70% - 100 gr. Raw materials are crushed, poured with alcohol and insisted. Use 45 drops three times a day before meals. Treatment should be from half a month to three weeks.
This tincture is definitely contraindicated only for children, pregnant and lactating women due to the alcohol content. In other cases - with individual intolerance. Please note that with prolonged use, the drug may cause diarrhea.
Preparing decoction
Another way to use the field harrow is to make a decoction from it. The crushed root is poured with boiling water at the rate of 30 g of raw materials per 1 liter of water, kept for 30–40 minutes in a water bath, then cooled, filtered and diluted with water to a liter. The finished broth should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. It should be taken before meals at 50 g several times a day for no more than four weeks.
Stalnik can also be used externally. Cold lotions with a decoction of the medicinal root contribute to the reduction of swelling of the nodes with hemorrhoids and the treatment of trophic ulcers of the lower leg. And for eczema and other skin diseases, baths with the addition of this remedy are indicated.
Use in collections
In addition to solo use, the field harrow has found application in variousherbal collections. With pyelonephritis, a decoction of its dried root, birch leaves and flaxseed is used. For a more effective treatment of urolithiasis, anise, parsley, shepherd's purse, juniper, dandelion and bearberry should be added to the harrow. In the treatment of hemorrhoids, as part of complex therapy, baths are practiced with the addition of a decoction of rhizomes of harrow and wheatgrass, linden flowers, alder seedlings, hop cones, as well as oregano leaves, sage and sage. With prostatitis, rhizomes of the large serpentine, yellow water lily and wheatgrass, as well as herbs - verbena, fragrant rue and goose cinquefoil are added to the harrow.
In the manufacture of these and other fees, you need to take one part of each plant, chop and place in a storage container. To prepare a decoction, the raw material is poured with water in the ratio of 1 teaspoon per glass of liquid, simmered in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, and then insisted for an hour. Another way to use it is to pour boiling water over the dry collection and let it brew for at least a couple of hours.
Growing and harvesting
Wild-growing field harrow is of little use for use as a medicinal raw material, since it is found infrequently and grows separately, mixed with other herbs. Therefore, for the purpose of harvesting it is grown. You can do this in your own area. In addition, the harrow has good decorative qualities, and its pink spikelets will please the eye all summer long.
It is better to choose an open, well-lit place for planting a harrow, ideally one on which vegetables were previously cultivated. Since the plant loves nutritioussoil, then during autumn digging, the site should be fertilized with manure or humus. Sow harrow in the spring, after loosening the soil. Planting material must be prepared in advance - to carry out scarification, that is, to damage the surface peel of the seed, which compacts during storage and reduces germination. This can be done with sandpaper, rubbing each seed with it. It is advisable to place the beds at a distance of 45-50 cm from each other, and sow the plants at the rate of 4-6 units per 1 meter.
From the moment when the field harrow has faded, right up to frost, you can start harvesting the roots. They are dug up, the earth is removed, washed with cold water, dried and cut into pieces about 10 cm long. For drying in a natural way, the roots are hung or placed on a horizontal surface with a layer no thicker than 7 cm and periodically turned over. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure good ventilation in the room, and if drying is carried out in open space, build a protective canopy. You can also use dryers, keeping the roots of the harrow there for a week at a temperature of 40-60 degrees. Ready-made raw materials for storage should be laid out in rag bags.
With proper preparation and use, the healing power of harrow roots can bring a lot of he alth benefits. However, it is worth remembering that any medicinal plant can cause an allergic reaction. It is necessary to start using the field harrow with caution, and in the presence of serious illnesses, consult a doctor.
